Is It A Good Sign?

[Dr. Shane]

Two U.S. Allies Leaving Iraq, More May Go

OK, Bulgaria and Ukraine pull out. They have been there a long time and had given notice of their plans.

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If Australia, Britain, Italy, Japan, Poland and South Korea reduce or recall their personnel, more than half of the non-American forces in Iraq could be gone by next summer.

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Did we expect all of the allies to stay as long as the US? I never heard that. I certainly didn't expect but a few to stick around as long as they have. Given the insurgency, I am amazed as many have stayed as long as they have. They committed to be there before anyone knew what the extent of the insurgency would be. Plus many of these countries have had elections so the people that sent the troops there originally are not all still in power.

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Japan and South Korea help with reconstruction, but Britain and Australia provide substantial support forces and Italy and Poland train Iraqi troops and police. Their exodus would deal a blow to American efforts to prepare Iraqis to take over the most dangerous peacekeeping tasks and craft an eventual U.S. exit strategy.

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A blow? Maybe if they didn't give any notice. It isn't like they are the only ones in the world that can do what they are doing.

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"The vibrations of unease from within the United States clearly have an impact on public opinion elsewhere,"

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Now this shows what some have been saying is true. The anti-war crowd is undermining the war effort. Clearly they are not supporting the troops despite what they claim. The can't support them and undermine them at the same time.

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In the months after the March 2003 invasion, the multinational force numbered about 300,000 soldiers from 38 countries.

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Wow! 37 nations went in with the US. That was quite a coalition.

[bevin]

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Now this shows what some have been saying is true. The anti-war crowd is undermining the war effort. Clearly they are not supporting the troops despite what they claim. The can't support them and undermine them at the same time.

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No.

A low reading on a thermometer does not cause the weather to be cold.

Nor is the US anti-war crowd affecting sentiment overseas - it can't = that sentiment was already more than 90% opposed to the war.

If Bush doesn't want his policies to be ridiculed, he should not have ridiculous policies. Suppressing the ridicule does not make the policies less ridiculous.

/Bevin

[Dr. Shane]

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"The vibrations of unease from within the United States clearly have an impact on public opinion elsewhere,"

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The above statement may be wrong. Although the jornalist is pretending to be objective, obviously that is his or her opinion and subject to be wrong. However, if it is right, than so is my statement as follows:

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Now this shows what some have been saying is true. The anti-war crowd is undermining the war effort. Clearly they are not supporting the troops despite what they claim. The can't support them and undermine them at the same time.

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